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Artistic Barista August Kitts has been perfecting the art of lattes and mochas for over seven years and now trains baristas in the art and science of coffee. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Art in a cup at Coffee to a Tea

By Patrick Robinson

Friday, July 18, 2008

There are many places to get coffee in West Seattle and you might know Coffee to a Tea with sugar in the Junction. You may even know about their in house bakery, but we want you to meet a coffee artist. Barista August Kitts. He has been pursuing his career as a barista for over seven years and fell into it after helping a friend clean up a cafe and learning the basics. Over time he has developed his skill to the point that he began training others, "I've trained the entire staff at Coffee to a Tea, " he said.

It takes about 2 minutes from start to finish to create an artistic cup including the grinding, and packing of the coffee to a 50 lbs per square inch pressure, followed by the drip of the coffee itself and the steaming of milk. The final touch is August's specialty and he works quickly but carefully to create a genuine work of art in a 12 ounce mug. Occasionally the art he had in mind at the beginning doesn't quite work out. "People don't seem to mind, as long as the coffee tastes good," he added.

Kitts has a broad repertoire of coffee art including flowers, animals and other "aerial views" of patterns he creates on the spot.

You might think August has coffee anytime but he does have his limits, "It's usually a cup of tea come the end of the day," he said. He's never had to turn anyone down for having too much but says, "I've seen some kids put away pots of coffee after pots of coffee and wondered why they weren't vibrating out of here."

If you are looking for an art in cup drop by Coffee to a tea and have a beautiful

beverage. Visit them on the web at www.sugarrushbakingcompany.com/

Coffee to a tea with Sugar is located at 4541 California Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98116

in the heart of the West Seattle Junction.

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